What was Raja ram mohan rai's contribution to Indian history?

Answer 1

The unfolding of Hindu acculturative movements began with the career of Rammohan Roy (I772-1833). He was born into a world of diverse cultural influences. His father's family followed Chaitanya, and his mother was a worshipper of divine female power. Professionally the Roys had served under Muslim rulers and so were among the Persianized members of the Hindu elite.'This tie to non-Hindu government gave them a somewhat lowered status, as,they were not counted among the purest of the Brahmanical community. Roy learned Bengali as his mother tongue, but also studied Persian in preparation for future employment and Sanskrit as befitted his priestly rank." Young Roy questioned orthodox beliefs, and consequently came into conflict with his parents. The year after his father's death in 1803, Roy published his religious views in a Persian tract, Tohfat al-Muwahiddin (A Gift to Theists, 1804), making public his criticisms of idolatry and polytheism. Roy had already entered the world of private banking and from there he was drawn into the colonial milieu, for his clients included several English officers. He began to learn English and spent nine years working for the East India Company. He retired in 1814 and afterwords turned his energies to issues of social custom and religious belief.

About the same time another work of Rammohan in Persian entitled Manzarat-ul-Adiyan or "Discourses on Various Religions" came out.It is believed that its theme was similar to that of the Tuhfat. In 1815 Rammohan founded the Atmiya Sabha or Friendly Association for discussing theological subjects.The Sabha met once in a week and in its meetings the Hindu scriptures were recited and theistic hymns composed by Rammohan and his friends were chanted. Meetings of Atmiya Sabha were originally held at Rammohan's Manicktola residence in Calcutta . Later, regular sittings were held by rotation in the residence of different members.Among the topics discussed in the meetings were futility of image worship, evils of Caste System, practice of Sati and polygamy.

As another means of propagating his religious views Rammohan published a number of books and tracts during this period.He published a translation of the Vedanta Sutra in 1815 and the Bengali translation of Isa, Kena, Katha, Mundaka and Mandukya Upanishads between 1816 and 1819. He was the first man to translate and explain the Vedanta in Bengali though he mainly propagated the non-dualism of Shankaracharya.

In 1825, he founded the Vedanta College where along with Western Science and Philosophy the students were to be taught Vedanta philosophy. The Vedanta College was set up with a view to the propagation of and defence of Hindu Unitarianism.In 1820 Rammohan entered a different phase of his religious activities and became involved in a controversy with the Christian Missionaries.Rammohan had first come into contact with the Serampore missionaries in 1816 and since then had sought to maintain friendly relations with them.The controversy began with the publication in 1820 of his work entitled The Precepts of Jesus, The Guide to Peace and Happiness.

In September 1821, through the interest and initiative taken by Adam,Rammohan and others, the Unitarian Committee was founded.The object of the Committee was to remove ignorance and superstition, and to furnish information respecting the evidences, the duties, and doctorines of the religion of Christ.The Unitarian Committee used to run an Anglo- Hindu School, and arrange congregational services and it owned a printing press.

In 1816-17, Rammohan started an English school at Sudipara for the education of Hindu boys. The School was formally opened in 1822 as the Anglo-Hindu School where western Science, philosophy and literature were taught.Among thestudents of this school was Devendranath Tagore. From 1839 the school was renamed the Indian Academy .

Another significant contribution of Rammohan as an educational reformer was that he drew the Christian missions to this field.In 1823, he requested the Church of Scotland Assembly to send out competent teachers to spread English education in India.In 1830, Dr Alexander Duff, the famous missionary educationist , came to India.

Initially known as the General Assembly's Institution, the Scottish Church Collegiate School was founded on the 13th July, 1830 by Allexander Duff, the first overseas missionary of the Church of Scotland to India . Dr. Duff with Raja Rammohan Roy, the father of modern India, played significant role in supporting Lord AMcaulay in drafting his famous minute for the introduction of English education in India .

Rammohan's efforts for promoting Indian Journalism were very notable.Among the papers that he used as his organs was the Bengali weekly Sambad Kaumudi or "The Moon of Intelligence". In 1822, he started a weekly paper in Persian named Mirat-ul-Akhbar or "Mirror of Intelligence". The Sambad Kaumudi was primarily intended for common man, whereas the Mirat was for the educated classes.Apart from being one of the pioneers of Bengali journalism, Rammohan's name is associated with the struggle for a free press in India.His memorial against the Press Ordinance of 1823 to the Supreme court and then to the Privy Council, his closure for the publication of the Mirat-ul-Akhbar as a protest against the repressive Government Ordinance have earned for him an esteemed place in the history of the Indian Press.This is the first instance of an organized effort to rally the intelligentia against an encroachment on the fundamental rights of the people.In 1827, he protested against the Jury Act which introduced discrimination even in the courts of Justice.Three years later, in 1830,we find him objecting to the Government proposal to Tax rent- free lands.Lastly, we must recall the agitation he started on the eve of the renewal of the Company's Charter in 1833.

The most dramatic question of Roy 's varied career, and one that concerned him for the remainder of his life, was the rite of sati, the immolation of Hindu widows on their husbands' funeral pyre. Sati was not practised widely throughout the Hindu community, but it was strong among the higher castes in Bengal . Roy had been deeply upset, when one of his female relatives committed sati. In 1818, he published A Conference Between an Advocate for and an Opponent Of the Practice of Burning Widows Alive. Roy cited scriptural sources to justify his contention that Sati was not required by Hindu law and was instead an erroneous accretion; an example of degenerate Hinduism.Finally in 1829, the British- Indian Government outlawed Sati.

The miserable conditions of the peasants in India and the serious economic crisis that gripped the country did not fail to draw his concern and sympathy. Rammohan suggested that the revenue demanded from the Zamindars should be reduced so that a reduction in the ryots rent would be assured. As a measure to cope up with the problem of economic drain he suggested that a system should be devised which would encourage wealthy Europeans to settle their families permanently in India .

He had sympathies and contacts with the people of the world and the international events and movements of his time. He took an absorbing interest in the French July Revolution of 1830 which he viewed as a triumph of Liberty .

The orthodox Hindu community organized itself in defence of Hinduism and its practices under the patronage of Raja Radhakant Dev (1784-1867). Other stalwarts of the group included Bhabanicharan Bandopadhyay and Ramkamal Sen.Religion and social reforms were the main subjects of controversy. In 1823, the Gaudiya Samaj was founded with the object of the propagation of learning and knowledge among the natives. The samaj accepted Hindu social customs and usages.Social problems and social improvements were discussed and the vedas were recited in the meetings of the samaj. With the object of defending orthodox religion and society the Dharma Sabha was founded on January 17, 1830. Its president was Raja Radhakant Deb and Bhabanicharan Bandopadhyay, its secretary. The Dharma Sabha has been described as an impressive testimony to the power and grandeur of traditional forces.

It was the great Raja Rammohan Roy, who realized that India would be a backward country, if her people did not learn English, Mathematics and Science. He spent his own money and started a college to teach English and Science.

That is why he is called the 'Maker of Modern India'. He had a high regard for India and Hinduism and was proud of them.